N.S. Premier Darrell Dexter speaks to reporters on Tuesday. (CBC)

Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter is trying to calm Halifax-based civil servants who are fearful their provincial government jobs are going to be moved out of the capital and into rural areas.

"We're not going to force people to move if they don't want to," Dexter told reporters on Tuesday.

"We're going to look at accommodations and say, 'Where does this fit in terms of the other departmental functions that would be here in the city?'"

The New Democratic Party touched off widespread speculation in the bureaucracy last month when it announced in the throne speech it will relocate department head offices to rural Nova Scotia.

No other details were given.

The idea has not gone over well in the provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, where many fear they and their families will be uprooted and moved to Shelburne — home riding of Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau.

Dexter said those fears are overblown.

The province has identified which departments are candidates for relocation, he said, and will make its decision public within weeks.

"We're talking about rural Nova Scotia. We're talking about a great place for people to live," Dexter said.

"This is a great opportunity for people and I think what we will see is people will be pleased."